Militaries' F-15EX aircrafts are dispatched to Japan for training, with Kadena Air Base getting ready to accommodate the incoming airplanes.
Kadena Air Base in Japan witnessed a significant change on July 12, as two F-15EX Eagle II fighters arrived for training and integration. This deployment is a key milestone in the Department of Defense's ongoing effort to modernize U.S. airpower in the region and deter against evolving threats.
The visit prepares Kadena personnel for the arrival and future sustainment of a fleet of 36 F-15EX aircraft, scheduled for Spring 2026, between March and June. This transition marks the replacement of the aging fleet of 48 F-15C/D Eagles that have been based at Kadena for five decades.
The F-15EX is the most advanced iteration of the Eagle platform, outfitted with cutting-edge avionics, advanced weapons systems, and enhanced offensive and defensive capabilities. The aircraft deployment aims to maintain and enhance U.S. air dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, which is strategically critical, particularly given Kadena’s proximity to Taiwan, about 400 miles east.
General Kevin B. Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, stated that while there may be learning involved in putting a new platform into these environments, he does not expect the transition to be significant. The training deployments prior to the permanent basing are designed to prepare Kadena personnel for sustaining and operating the new aircraft effectively.
Once complete, the 51st Fighter Wing will have given up 36 F-16s for 48 F-35s. The Air Force plans to rotate a mix of fighters through Kadena during the transition, including fifth-generation F-35s, F-22s, fourth-generation F-15Es, and F-16s, which have been rotating through Kadena Air Base since 2022.
The F-15EXs deployed from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Meanwhile, the Marines have also deployed F-35Bs to Japan at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Misawa Air Base in Japan began transferring its F-16s to Osan Air Base in South Korea in June, with Misawa set to be the Air Force's second overseas base to permanently host the F-35s, following RAF Lakenheath in England.
Osan Air Base is using the F-16s to replace its retiring A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes. The transfer makes way for the F-35 Lightning II jets Misawa is slated to receive next spring. Brig. Gen. John Gallemore took over command of the 18th Wing from Evans on July 14.
The arrival and integration of the F-15EX will ensure that the U.S. Air Force remains postured to address evolving security challenges and deterrence requirements in the dynamic Indo-Pacific security environment. This short-term visit of the F-15EXs is a crucial step towards the permanent arrival of these advanced fighters, strengthening U.S. airpower modernization and deterrence posture in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing U.S. presence near Taiwan and supporting regional security commitments.
[1] Air Force Times. (2023, March 15). Air Force to replace F-15C/D Eagles at Kadena with F-15EXs. Retrieved from https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2023/03/15/air-force-to-replace-f-15c-d-eagles-at-kadena-with-f-15exs/
[2] Defense News. (2023, March 16). F-15EXs arrive at Kadena for training, integration. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/16/f-15exs-arrive-at-kadena-for-training-integration/
[3] Military.com. (2023, July 12). F-15EXs Arrive at Kadena for Training and Integration. Retrieved from https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/07/12/f-15exs-arrive-kadena-training-integration.html
[4] Air Force Magazine. (2023, March 13). F-15EXs to Begin Deploying to Kadena in July. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/f-15exs-to-begin-deploying-to-kadena-in-july/
- The defense industry is delivering on its promise of modernization, as seen in the arrival of F-15EX aircraft at Kadena Air Base, a move that will strengthen U.S. air dominance in the strategically critical Indo-Pacific region.
- The pilots of the F-15EX Eagle II fighters, deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, are conducting training to integrate seamlessly with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, ultimately bolstering the region's security.
- As part of the Department of Defense's ongoing effort, the air force is working on the financial aspects to ensure the successful transition and sustainability of new aircraft platforms, like the F-15EXs, in the aerospace sector.
- The F-15EX is equipped with advanced weapons systems, enhancing its offensive and defensive capabilities, thereby contributing to the regional defense and security of the U.S., particularly near Taiwan.
- The Space Force is monitoring the development closely, as the F-15EX deployment and subsequent basing may impact the security and possible strategic considerations in space, further demanding the force's attention and commitment.
